Baloch Rebels Deploy Advanced US Weaponry

ISLAMABAD – In a rare and sobering admission before the National Assembly on February 3, 2026, Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated that security forces are currently “handicapped” in their fight against Baloch insurgents. The minister revealed that the Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) is equipped with advanced American military hardware—including high-end rifles and night vision devices—that surpasses the standard equipment used by the Pakistani Army.

The statement comes in the wake of a massive, coordinated offensive by the BLA dubbed “Operation Herof Phase II,” which has left over 250 dead in a series of attacks across Balochistan.

The “Technological Gap” in the Field

During his address, Asif expressed alarm over the sophistication of the gear recovered from or used by the rebels. He questioned the source of funding for these high-value items, noting that a single combat gear package for an insurgent is estimated to cost nearly $20,000.

Equipment Highlighted by the Minister:

• Advanced Rifles: Valued at approximately ₹2 million (PKR) per unit—rifles the minister claimed the regular Pakistani infantry currently lacks.

• Thermal & Night Vision: Thermal weapon sights valued between $4,000 and $5,000.

• Global Origin: Asif explicitly labeled these as “American weapons,” likely referencing hardware left behind during the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Operational Challenges: The “Vastness” Problem

Asif explained that the Pakistani military is struggling not just with technology, but with geography. Balochistan constitutes over 40% of Pakistan’s landmass but remains sparsely populated.

• Deployment Strains: The sheer size of the province makes it difficult to maintain concentrated troop presence, leaving vast corridors open for insurgent movement.

• The “Handicapped” State: Forces are stretched thin guarding critical infrastructure, such as the CPEC projects and the port of Gwadar, making them vulnerable to “hit-and-run” guerrilla tactics.

The External Link: Afghanistan & Smuggling

The Minister dismissed the narrative that the insurgency is a nationalist rights struggle, instead framing it as a “criminal-terror nexus.”

1. Afghan Sanctuaries: Asif claimed the BLA leadership is based in Afghanistan, receiving full logistical support across the border.

2. Oil Smuggling Economy: He alleged that the unrest is funded by a criminal mafia earning ₹4 billion daily from illegal Iranian oil smuggling—a trade the government recently attempted to dismantle.

3. India Allegations: Consistent with previous state rhetoric, he attributed the patronage of these groups to Indian intelligence, a claim New Delhi has repeatedly dismissed as “baseless.”

A Hardline Stance: “No Talks”

Ruling out any possibility of negotiations, Asif warned that the state would respond with “full force.” He condemned the BLA’s specific targeting of Punjabi civilians, who were offloaded from buses and executed based on their identity cards over the weekend.